Food Allergy 101

Ian's is Your Food Allergy Expert

15 Million Americans have a food allergy.

Some lead to serious medical conditions.

Top 8 Food Allergens

Click to Learn More About Each Allergen

Milk

An allergic reaction to cow’s milk occurs when the body’s immune system considers certain proteins in milk to be harmful and launches an attack against what it perceives to be a dangerous substance. The scale of this attack can range from hives and stomach upset to a full- scale lethal allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing and a life-threatening reduction in blood pressure. These symptoms are often accompanied by hives, swelling, and gastrointestinal problems.

An allergy to cow’s milk is the most common type of food allergy in infants and young children. Please visit our friends at Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) for more information and helpful tips concerning the management of milk allergy.

Eggs

An allergic reaction to egg occurs when the body’s immune system considers certain proteins in eggs to be harmful and launches an attack against what it perceives to be a dangerous substance. The scale of this attack can range from hives and stomach upset to a full-scale lethal allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing and a life-threatening reduction in blood pressure. These symptoms are often accompanied by hives, swelling, and gastrointestinal problems.

An allergy to eggs is the second most common type of food allergy in infants and young children. Please visit our friends at Food Allergy Research & Education for more information and helpful tips concerning the management of egg allergy.

Peanuts

An allergic reaction to peanuts occurs when the body’s immune system considers certain proteins in peanuts to be harmful and launches an attack against what it perceives to be a dangerous substance. The scale of this attack can range from hives and stomach upset to a full- scale lethal allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing and a life-threatening reduction in blood pressure. These symptoms are often accompanied by hives, swelling, and gastrointestinal problems.

The nature of an allergic reaction can vary from person to person and may manifest itself differently each time an allergic person is exposed to an allergen. Peanut allergies are of particular concern because they are one of the most common causes of death due to food allergies. Please visit our friends at Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) for more information and helpful tips concerning the management of peanut allergy.

Tree Nuts

An allergic reaction to a tree nut occurs when the body’s immune system considers certain proteins in tree nuts to be harmful and launches an attack against what it perceives to be a dangerous substance. The scale of this attack can range from hives and stomach upset to a full-scale lethal allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing and a life-threatening reduction in blood pressure. These symptoms are often accompanied by hives, swelling, and gastrointestinal problems.

Tree nuts include common foods such as walnuts, pecans, almonds and hazelnuts. A complete listing of tree nuts, as designated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), may be found on their website. Please visit our friends at Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) for more information and helpful tips concerning the management of tree nut allergy.

Soy

An allergic reaction to soy occurs when the body’s immune system considers certain proteins in soybeans to be harmful and launches an attack against what it perceives to be a dangerous substance. The scale of this attack can range from hives and stomach upset to a full-scale lethal allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing and a life-threatening reduction in blood pressure. These symptoms are often accompanied by hives, swelling, and gastrointestinal problems.

Soy allergy is more common in children than adults. Please visit our friends at Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) for more information and helpful tips concerning the management of soy allergy.

Wheat

An allergic reaction to wheat occurs when the body’s immune system considers certain proteins in wheat to be harmful and launches an attack against what it perceives to be a dangerous substance. The scale of this attack can range from hives and stomach upset to a full-scale lethal allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing and a life-threatening reduction in blood pressure. These symptoms are often accompanied by hives, swelling, and gastrointestinal problems.

Wheat allergy is more common in children than adults and is not the same condition as celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Please visit our friends at Food Allergy Research & Education for more information and helpful tips concerning the management of wheat allergy.

Fish

An allergic reaction to fish occurs when the body’s immune system considers certain proteins in finned fish to be harmful and launches an attack against what it perceives to be a dangerous substance. The scale of this attack can range from hives and stomach upset to a full-scale lethal allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing and a life-threatening reduction in blood pressure. These symptoms are often accompanied by hives, swelling, and gastrointestinal problems.

An allergy to finned fish is most commonly caused by salmon, tuna and halibut. Please visit our friends at Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) for more information and helpful tips concerning the management of fish allergy.

Shell Fish

An allergic reaction to shellfish occurs when the body’s immune system considers certain proteins in shellfish to be harmful and launches an attack against what it perceives to be a dangerous substance. The scale of this attack can range from hives and stomach upset to a full- scale lethal allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing and a life-threatening reduction in blood pressure. These symptoms are often accompanied by hives, swelling, and gastrointestinal problems.

Shellfish allergy is more common in adults than children and is most commonly caused by crustaceans including shrimp, crab and lobster. Allergen labeling laws do not apply to molluscan shellfish such as clams, mussels, oysters and scallops. As a result, ingredients such as natural flavor may contain molluscan shellfish that is not declared in the ingredient statement of the product. Please visit our friends at Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) for more information and helpful tips concerning the management of shellfish allergy.